Reinforcing machine



Nov. 18, 1969 J. scoTT REINFORC ING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 1S, 196

INVENTOR. o@ 550?? #fr0/Vif NOV. 18, 1969 L SCOTT REINFORCING MACHINE lO Sheets-Sheet Filed July 18, 1966 INVENTOR. 06 jf@ ZZ rraW/vE/ J. SCOTT REINFORGING MACHINE mw wum TM S T) T1. J l l v Q\\\\A g A f M1! l .N .A l F rl] IL Nov. 18, 1969 Filed July 18. 1966 Nov. 18, 1969 .1. SCOTT REINFORCING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 18, 1966 mvENTOR.

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Nov. 18, 1969 .1. SCOTT REINFORCING MACHINE lO Sheets-Sheet .u

Filed July 18, 1966 Nov. 18, 1969 1. SCOTT 3,479,242

REINFORCING MACHINE Filed July 18, 1966 l0 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOZ.

Nov. 18, 1969 J. SCOTT 3,479,242

REINFORC ING MACHINE Filed July 18, 1966 lO Sheets-Sheet i 4U@ C fr 4M j! INVENTOR Nov. 18, 1969 .1. sco-r1' REINFORC ING MACHINE lO SheetS-Sheet D Filed July 18, 1966 i INVENTOR. j m J5@ of? /M #fray/VZY Nov. 1s, 1969 J SCOTT 3,479,242

REINFORC ING MACHINE Filed July 18. 1966 lO Sheets-Sheet NV NTOR.

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United States Patent O 3,479,242 REINFORCING MACHINE Joe Scott, Southfield, Mich., assignor to Scott Equipment Company, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed July 18, 1966, Ser. No. 565,802 Int. Cl. B321) 31/18; B31f 7/00 U.S. Cl. 156-522 33 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLQSURE This invention relates generally to material handling apparatus and, more particularly, to a new and improved machine for applying a strip of material along the edge of a sheet of paper for reinforcing the paper in the area where holes are to be punched, for example, when the paper is to be mounted in a loose leaf binder or the like.

In general, the reinforcing machine of the present invention is adapted to have sheets of paper successively fed into a pre-fed section thereof. From this pre-feed section, the sheets of paper are conveyed to a strip applying section where a continuous strip of plastic or similar reinforcing material is glued along one edge thereof, with the result that the sheets are temporarily connected together. As the sheets continue through the machine, a cutoff guide finger picks up the location of the joint between the adjacent sheets and causes a pair of rotating shearing knives to cut the strip of reinforcing material at the joint, thereby separating the sheets. The machine includes a pull-out roller assembly for conveying the sheets from the machine to a delivery tray mounted at one end thereof.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved reinforcing machine which is adapted to apply reinforcing material to successive sheets of paper which are to be mounted in loose leaf binders and the like.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved reinforcing machine of the above character which is of an extremely durable construction, is easy to assemble and economical to commercially manufacture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a reinforcing machine of the above character which is extremely simple to operate.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved reinforcing machine of the above character wherein the amount of reinforcing material waste is minimized to the extreme.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved reinforcing machine of the above character which cycles entirely automatically.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved reinforcing machine of the above character which is adapted to handle paper sheets of various sizes and apply various types of reinforcing material thereto.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved reinforcing machine of ICC the above character which includes novel clutching means for selectively driving the various paper handling and conveying sections thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the machine of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 1, as seen in the direction of the arrow 2 thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a top elevational View of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the portion of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 3, as seen along the line 4 4 thereof;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 1, as taken substantially along the line 5 5 thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line 7 7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 5, as taken substantially along the line 8 8 thereof;

FIGURE 9 is a partially schematic view of a portion of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 5, as taken substantially along the line 9 9 thereof;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 1, as taken substantially along the line 10-10 thereof;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine illustrated in FIGURE l, as taken substantially along the line 11-11 thereof;

FIGURE l2 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional View taken along the line 12 12 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of `a portion of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 11, as taken substantially along the line 13 13 thereof;

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 1, as taken vsubstantially along the line 14 14 thereof;

FIGURE 15 is a schematic view illustrating the respective positions of various component parts of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 1 during an exemplary operational cycle thereof, and

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional vielw of a portion of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 1, as taken substantially Aalong the line 16 16 thereof.

The reinforcing machine of the present invention comprises a feed station from which the operator hand feeds successive sheets of paper 4into the machine. The paper sheets are conveyed by means of a pre-feed drive belt through a paper holddown assembly having a plurality of weighted balls which hold the sheets engaged with the belt, resulting in the sheets being rapidly 4conveyed into the machine. As each sheet is carried into the machine, the leading edge thereof engages and actuates a control switch which energizes the reinforcing strip `applying section of the machine. The sheet of paper that was in the machine at the start of the cycle will then be conveyed through the machine by a pair of rollers with a spacer linger separating the successive sheets and preventing them from overlapping one another. Because the sheets of paper being conveyed through the pre-feed section of the machine travel faster than the sheets of paper traveling through the reinforcing strip applying section, each new sheet overtakes the previous sheet until only the spacer finger separates the two. The pre-feed belt holds the new sheet in contact with the spacer finger las the sheets pass between a pair of strip applying rollers which are disposed along one side of the feed path. As t-he paper sheets pass between these rollers, a strip of reinforcing material fabricated, for example, of plastic, polyester or other suitable material, -which is mounted on a storage reel on the rear side of the machine, is applied to one edge of the sheets, which strip of material temporarily connects the sheets of paper. The spacer finger follows the joint between the two adjacent sheets of paper until the joint overlaps a cutott guide finger which cooperates with a pair of rotary shearing blades that function to shear the strip of material at the juncture of the sheets of paper. As the sheets continue through the machine, the guide finger rolls into the joint and the spacer nger is released therefrom, the spacer finger being friction driven and rotatably mounted and thus movable along a circular path until its tip is in contact with the bottom of the new sheet As the guide lfinger penetrates the joint, the associated shearing blades, which are geared together so as to mesh at the joint between the sheets, accelerate until they are traveling at the same speed as the sheets. The shearing edges are adapted to cut the reinforcing material in a manner similar to a pair of scissors, one of the shearing members being spring loaded against the other. After the reinforcing strip is sheared, the leading sheet is accelerated out of the machine by a pair of pull-out rolls which function to convey the leading paper sheet info a delivery tray mounted at one end of the machine. The cutoff guide finger continues to rotate until its tip is riding on the top of the new sheet in a position to pick up the next successive joint. The new sheet will continue to travel through the machine until its trailing edge clears the aforementioned control switch, at which time the material applying section of the machine is deenergized.

For convenience of description, the terms forward, reanwarcL upper, lower, right, and left and words of similar import will have reference to the reinforcing machine of the present invention and parts thereof as appearing in FIGURE 1, the right end of the machine being at the right side of this figure. The terms inner and outer and derivatives thereof will have reference to the geometric center of the reinforcing machine of the present invention and the various parts thereof.

-Referring now in detail to FIGURES 1 through 3 of the drawings, a reinforcing machine 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is shown as comprising an elongated horizontally disposed sheet conveying plate or platform 12 that is mounted above and supported upon a pair of spaced parallel, vertically extending support members 14 and 16, which members 14, 16 are in turn supported upon a generally rectangular shaped support frame 18 that is mounted upon a plurality of support legs, generally designated 20. A pair of cross members 21 extend between the support members 14, 16 at the opposite ends thereof. Mounted adjacent the left side (see FIGURE 2) of the conveying platform 12 is an upwardly extending, generally rectangularly shaped gear housing 22 which comprises a pair of spaced parallel, vertically extending side members 24, 26 and a laterally extending end plate 28 and that is fixedly secured at its lower end by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 32 to one of the cross members 21. A pair of spacer members 34 and 36 extend laterally between the upper edges of the side members 24, 26, the former of Iwhich has the upper end of the plate secured thereto by the screws 32.

As best seen in FIGURES 1 and 3, the machine 10 comprises a feed section 38 at the left end thereof, a pre-feed section 40 located directly to the right of the section 38, and a reinforcing strip applying section 42 which is disposed directly to the right of the section 40. A delivery tray 44 is mounted at the right end of the platform 12 and comprises a bottom member 46 `which terminates at its right end in an upwardly extending end portion 48. A pair of side plates 50 and S2 are mounted on the laterally opposite sides of the Imember 46 and extend upwardly therefrom to laterally align the sheets of paper which are deposited into the tray 44. A longitudinally extending guide member 54 is mounted on the upper surface of the platform 12 and is adapted to be laterally adjustable with respect thereto. As seen in FIGURE 3, the member 54 is provided with a pair of laterally outwardly extending mounting blocks 56 and 58 which have laterally elongated slots 60 and 62 -for-med therein. The slots 60, 62 are adapted to receive upwardly extending, externally thread stud members 64 and 66 which are secured to the top of the platform 12. A pair of -adjustable knobs 68 and 70 are threadably mounted on the studs 64, 66, respectively, and adapted to be threadably advanced thereon to 'lock-ingly secure the guide member 54 to the platform 12. The guide member 54 is designed to be laterally `adjusted on the platform 12 in accordance with the size of paper to which reinforcing material is being applied by the machine 10, the guide -mmeber 54 being easily movable on the platform 12 by merely unscrewing the knobs 68 and 70 with respect to the studs 64, 66.

Referring now in detail to the pre-feed section 40 of the machine 10, as best illustrated in FIGURE l, a pair of laterally extending openings 72 and 74 are formed in the platform 12 near the left end thereof. A pair of belt supporting roller members 76 and 78 are rotatably mounted within the opening 72, 74 respectively and are adapted to support a sheet feeding belt which extends over the rollers 76, 78 and the portion of the platform 12 disposed therebetween. The belt 80 extends around a pair of laterally extending, vertically arranged drive rollers 82 and 84 which are respectively mounted on laterally extending shafts 86 and 88. A drive sheave 90 is also mounted on the shaft 88 and is provided with a suitable drive belt 92 which extends between the sheave 90 and another drive sheave 94 adapted to be driven by a suitable electric motor 96 mounted on the lower side of the frame 18 by means of a mounting plate 98 and suitable screws, bolts or the like 100. Upon energization of the motor 96, the drive belt 92 will rotate in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 1, thereby rotating the sheave 90, shaft 88 and roller 84, resulting in the sheet feed belt 80 moving in the direction of the arrow 102 in FIGURE l.

Mounted adjacent the left/side of the feed section 38 of the platform 12 is a sheet guide or plate 104 against which the paper sheets that are to be fed into the machine 10 may be stacked. The right end of the plate 104 is formed with a downwardly inclined surface 106 upon which an inclined deflector or guide plate 108 is secured by suitable screws, bolts or the like 110. As best illustrated in FIGURE 3, the plate 108 extends laterally outwardly toward the center of the platform 12 from the plate 104 and is thereby adapted to act as a guide means for the sheets of paper being fed into the machine 10. As best seen in FIGURE 3, the belt 80 is preferably arranged at an angle with respect to the plate 104 whereby the sheets of paper are urged toward the plate 104 as they are conveyed into the machine 10.

Mounted directly above the portion of the platform 12 over which the sheet feed belt 80 transverses is a flat horizontally extending ball holder plate 112, which plate 112 is preferably detachably secured to the platform 12 at a position spaced slightly thereabove by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 114 and 116 having enlarged head portions on the upper ends thereof to facilitate convenient removal. The plate 112 is formed with a plurality of longitudinally aligned apertures 118 which are located above the belt 80. Disposed in each of the apertures 118 is one of a plurality of hold-down ball members 120, each of which has a lower peripehral portion extending slightly below the lower surface of the plate 112 and engaging the upper surface of the belt 80 as the same traverses the rollers 76 and 78. With this construction, as the sheets of paper are fed between the upper surface of the belt 80 and the lower surface of the plate 112, the balls 120 exert a slight downwardly directed force on the top of the sheets of paper, thereby maintaining the paper sheets in driving engagement with the belt 80 so that the paper sheets will be positively conveyed along the platform 12.

Referring now to the means for conveying successive sheets of paper through the strip applying section 42 of the machine and to the means for applying the reinforcing material to the paper sheets, as best seen in FIGURES 1 and 11, mounted on the under side of the frame 18 by means of a mounting plate 122 and suitable screws, bolts or the like 124 is an electrical drive motor 126 having a drive sheave 128. The sheave 128 is drivingly connected by means of a conventoinal drive belt 130 to another drive sheave or pulley 132 mounted on a laterally extending shaft 134 (see FIGURE 11) which is rotatably supported within a pair of anti-friction bearing units 136 and 138 fixedly secured within laterally aligned openings 140 and 142 in the side members 24 and 26 of the housing 22. Suitable snap rings or the like 144 and 146 are mounted on the shaft 134 adjacent the inner sides of the plates 24, 26 to limit any axial movement of the shaft 134 relative thereto. The drive sheave 132 is connected to the shaft 134 by means of a clutch assembly, generally designated 148, that may be of any suitable construction and by way of example comprises an annular liner bushing 150 that is fixedly secured within the central collar portion 152 of the drive sheave 132, as best seen in FIGURES 11 and l2. Mounted within the bushing 150 is an annular roller cage member 154 which is formed with a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced radially extending openings 156, each of which is adapted to have one of a plurality of elongated rollers, generally designated 158, disposed therewithin. The rollers 158 are adapted to peripherally engage the bushing 150 and are of a slightly larger diameter than the thickness of the cage 154 and thereby extend slightly radially inwardly from the inner periphery of the cage 154, as best illustrated in FIGURE 12. The portions of the rollers 158 which extend inwardly from the cage 154 are adapted to be received within a plurality of recesses 160 defined by a plurality of flats 162 formed on the periphery of an annular clutch sleeve member 164 that is secured to the shaft 134 by means of a friction clutch unit later to be described. It will be seen that when the cage 154 is oriented relative to the sleeve 164 such that the rollers 158 are disposed adjacent the center or intermediate portions of the flats 162, the rollers 158 are free to move within the openings 156. Accordingly the drive sheave 132 is free to rotate relative to the shaft 134. However, at such time as the cage 154 rotates a predetermined amount relative to the sleeve 164, the rollers 158 will be compressed or bind between the edges of the flats 162 and the inner periphery of the bushing 150, hence, the drive sheave 132 Will be drivingly connected to the shaft 134 so that rotation of the drive belt 130 will result in rotation of the shaft 134.

Means for rapidly starting and stopping rotation of the shaft 134 in response to movement of sheets of paper being conveyed through the machine 10 is provided by a solenoid assembly, best illustrated in FIGURE 13 and generally designated by the numeral 170. The assembly 170 comprises an electrically energized solenoid 172 which is adapted to be mounted adjacent the shaft 134 by means of a mounting plate 174 and suitable screws, bolts or the like 176. The solenoid 172 comprises an armature or plunger member 178 which is pivotably connected by means of a pivot pin or the like 180 to a medial portion of an elongated clutch release finger 182. The lower end of the finger 182 is pivotably mounted on a shaft 184 which extends laterally between and is connected to the side members 24 and 26. The upper end of the clutch finger 182 is adapted to selectively engage a lug portion 186 of the cage 154. More particularly, at such time as the solenoid 172 is energized, the finger 182 is adapted to move in a clockwise direction about the axis of the shaft 184, whereby the upper end of finger 182 will move out of engagement with the lug 186. A helical coil spring 190 which is secured at one end to the cage 154 then causes the cage 154 to rotate with respect to annular clutch sleeve member 164, which results in actuation of the clutch 148 causing the shaft 134 to be driven. Upon deenergization of the solenoid 172, a helical coil spring 192 connected to the linger 182 causes the finger to rotate in a counterclockwise direction until it is in a position to interfere with the lug 186. When the lug 186 strikes the linger 182, the cage 154 is Stopped. The annular clutch sleeve member 164 continues to rotate for a short distance until the rollers 158 are centered over the flats 162, resulting is disengagement of the clutch 148 to stop rotation of the shaft 134. Energization of the solenoid 172 is adapted to be selectively controlled by means of actuating switch which is mounted Subjacent the upper surface of the platform 12 and operates in a manner later to be described.

A slip-clutch mechanism 194 is provided adjacent the assembly 148 and comprises a drive clutch plate 196 and a driven clutch plate 198, the former of which is connected to the assembly 148 and the latter of which is connected to the shaft 134. The plates 196 and 198 frictionally engage with one another and function such that a gradual rotational force is applied to the shaft 134 when the assembly 148 is actuated, whereby to minimize the torsional forces applied to the shaft 134. The clutch plates 196, 198 are frictionally engaged with one another by means of an axially applied force exerted by a helical coil spring 200 which extends coaxially of the left end of the shaft 134 interjacent a washer 202 and a drive sprocket 204 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth 206 normally engaged with a drive chain 208 (see FIGURE l). The sprocket 204 is fixedly secured to the shaft 134 by means of a suitable snap ring and keyway member 209.

The right end of the shaft 134 extends laterally outwardly beyond the side member 26 and is disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane as the conveying platform 12. The shaft 134 is drivingly connected to a pullout roller 210 which is rotatably mounted by means of a plurality of needle bearings or the like 212 on a cylindrical shaft 214 that extends parallel to the shaft 134 in the same vertical plane thereof. The shaft 214 is fixedly secured to the outer side of the member 26 by means of a threaded stud member or the like 216, as best seen in FIGURE 1l. A pair of collar members 218 and 220 are disposed on the shaft 214 at the opposite ends of the roller 210 to prevent any relative axial movement between the roller 210 and the shaft 214. A pair of resilient O-rings 222 and 224 are mounted around the periphery of the roller 210 and are frictionally engaged with the periphery of the shaft 134 such that rotation of the shaft 134 will result in rotation in the opposite direction of the roller 210. The O-ring members 222 andl 224 are sufiiciently frictionally engaged with the periphery of the shaft 1 34 such that sheets of paper moving therebetween will be positively conveyed longitudinally of the platform 12 by the shaft 134 and roller 210.

Motive power is transmitted through the drive chain 208 from the sprocket 204 to another sprocket 226 which is secured by means of a suitable retaining pin 228 to a laterally extending shaft 230, as best seen in FIGURE 5. The shaft 230 is rotatably supported by means of a pair of anti-friction bearing assemblies 232 and 234 which are mounted within suitable openings 236 and 238 in the side members 24 and 26, respectively. Another sprocket member 240 is fixedly secured to the shaft 230 by means of a suitable retaining pin 242 and is adapted to transmit rotative power from the shaft 230 to another drive chain 244 which is best illustrated in FIGURE 1 and functions in a manner later to be described. Mounted on the right end of the shaft 230 adjacent the side member 26 of the machine 10 is a cylindrical lower knife holder member 246 which defines a central bore 248 through which the end of the shaft 230` extends. A plurality of needle bearings or the like 250y are mounted within the opposite ends of the bore 248 for rotatably supporting the member 246 on the shaft 230. A retaining collar 252 is fixedly secured on the end of the shaft 230 by means of a suitable set screw or the like 254, whereby the holder member 246 is precluded from moving axially relative to the bearing assembly 234 and collar 252. The holder member 246 is formed with an axially extending, radially inwardly directed slot 256 within which a strip cutting knife 258 is iixedly mounted. The knife 258 defines a cutting edge 260 which functions in a manner hereinafter to be described to selectively shear the reinforcing material applied to the successive sheets of paper conveyed through the machine 10. A gear member 262 is mounted on the left end of the holder member 246 and functions in a manner hereinafter to be described.

Mounted directly above the shaft 230 and in the same vertical plane thereof is another laterally extending shaft 264 which is supported on the side member 26 by means of a hollow cylindrical support 4member or housing 266. The housing 266 is secured within an opening 268 in the member 26 by means of a plurality of radially spaced clamping members 270 Iwhich are urged into engagement with a radially outwardly extending shoulder portion 272 on the right end of the support member 266 by means of a plurality of suitable screws, bolts or the like 274 which are threadably mounted in the side member 26. The shaft 264 is rotatably supported within the member 266 by means of a pair of anti-friction bearing assemblies 276 and 278, the shaft 264 extending laterally outwardly from the opposite ends of the support member 266, as illustrated in FIGURE 5. Rotative power is transmitted from the shaft 230 to the shaft 264 by means of a pair of cooperating gears 280 and 282 which are iixedly lsecured to the shafts 230 and 264 by suitable retaining pins 284 and 286, respectively.

Mounted on the portion of the shaft 264 which extends laterally outwardly from the side member 26 is a cylindrical upper knife-holder member 288. The member 288 is rotatably supported on the shaft 264 by means of a plurality of axially spaced needle bearing assemblies, generally designated by the numeral 290, the member 288 being drivingly connected to the shaft 264 by means of a clutch assembly which is best illustrated in FIGURE 6 and generally designated by the numeral 292. The assembly 292 comprises anannular clutch ring 294 that is iixedly secured to the holder member 288 by means of a radially inwardly extending pin 296. Mounted radially inwardly from the ring 294 is a ball bearing assembly comprising an outer race 298, an inner race 300 which is fixedly secured to the shaft 264, a plurality of ball bearing members, generally designated 302, and a cut-off drive member 303. The left end of the member 303 is formed With three axially extending slots 304 which are adapted to receive the bearings 302 therewithin, whereby to permit the end of the member 303 to extend into the clutch assembly in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 5, the end of the member 303 thereby serving to equally circumferentially space the bearings 302. As best illustrated in FIGURE 6, the inner periphery of the ring 294 is formed with three boss portions 306 which extend slightly radially inwardly from the ring 294 and cause the outer race 298 of the bearing assembly to be deformed slightly radially inwardly in the order of .005-.010 of an inch. The deformed configuration of the outer race 298 causes binding between the outer race 298 and inner race 300 of the bearing assembly during preselected rotational movement of the drive member 303 with respect to the shaft 264. More particularly, at such times as the bearings 302 are circumferentially disposed between the boss portions 306, i.e., in the position shown in FIGURE 6, the shaft 264 is freely rotatable with respect to the drive member 303; however, as the bearings 302 move circumferentially toward the boss portions 306, the bearings 302 will bind or be compressed between the inner and outer races 300 and 298, with the result that rotation of the shaft 264 will cause simultaneous rotation of the drive member 303. As the bearings 302 move circumferentially away from the boss portions 306 of the ring 294, the binding between the inner and outer races 300 and 298 will be eliminated, resulting in the shaft 264 being freely rotatable with respect to the drive member 303. With this construction, rotation of the shaft 264 results in an alternating power drive and slip drive of the drive member 303, as indicated by the arrows in FIGURE 6. The purpose of this alternating power drive and slip drive will become apparent when the overall operation of the reinforcing machine 10 of the present invention is hereinafter described.

The drive member 303 is formed with a radially outwardly extending gear section 308 defining a plurality of gear teeth 310 which are cooperable with the gear member 262 such that rotation of the drive member 303 in one direction results in rotation of the' gear member 262 in the opposite direction, as will be apparent. A suitable lubricant sealing member 312 is disposed interjacent the gear section 308 and clutch assembly 292 for preventing leakage of lubricant from within the annulus deine'd between the inner periphery of the member 266 and the outer periphery of the member 303.

The holder member 288 is formed with a knife-supporting section 314 which extends radially outwardly from the member 288 and is substantially laterally aligned with the knife-holder member 246 mounted on the shaft 230. As best illustrated in FIGURE 8, the section 314 is formed with a radially inwardly extending slot 318 within which a knife blade 322 is mounted. The blade 322 is cooperable with the blade 258 mounted on the holder -246 such that upon relative rotational movement of the shafts 230 and 264, the blades 258, 322 function in a scissor-like manner to sever the reinforcing material which is applied to the paper sheets by the machine 10. FIG- URE 8 shows the relationship of the knives as they approach the cutting arc. It should be noted that the cutting edge of the upper knife 322 is at a slight angle with respect to the axis of shaft 264 and that the cutting edge 260 of the lower knife 258 is tapered (see FIGURE 5) so that the two knives contact each other at only the actual cutting point.

The cut-olf drive member 303 is connected to the upper knife holder member 288 by a pair of extension springs 324 and 326 mounted on axially extending posts 328, 330, 332 and 334 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7. Posts 328 and 334 are press fitted into the upper knife holder 288 and extend axially into enlarged holes 335 in the cut-off drive member 303. Posts 330 and 332 are press fitted into the cut-ofi? drive member 303 and extend axially toward the' knife holder 288. The springs 324 and 326 cause the drive member 303 and holder member 288 to rotate with respect to each other until the posts 334 and 328 contact the inside surface of the holes 335 in the drive member 303. As the drive member 303 rotates, it causes both the lower knife holder 246 and the upper knife holder 288 to rotate until the upper knife 322 contacts the lower knife 258 as shown in FIGURE 8. As the knife holders continue to rotate an interference between the two knives causes the springs 324 and 326 to be extended so that the knives are held in contact with each other by the pressure of the springs.

Referring again to FIGURE 5, mounted on the outer (right) end of the shaft 264 is a cut-olf guide iinger 340 which extends radially outwardly from and is rigidly secured to the member 288 by means of a suitable mounting collar 342. The finger 340 is adapted to act as a guide' means for sensing the position of the joint between successive sheets of paper as they are fed through the machine 10 and the operation thereof will become more apparent when the` overall operation of the machine 10 is hereinafter described. An annular gauging member 344 is disposed interjacent the collar 342 and the knife supporting section 314 and is adapted to be releasably secured to the outer periphery of the member 288 by means of a suitable se't screw 346 and a friction ball 348. A retaining collar 350 is mounted on the extreme right end of the shaft 264 and is adapted to be xedly secured thereto by means of a suitable' set screw 352. A helical coil spring 354 extends circumjacent the shaft 264 between the collar 350 and the outermost of the needle bearing assemblies 290. The spring 354 is adapted to apply sufficient axial force against the collar 342 to assure that the nge'r 340 will rotate upon rotation of the shaft 264, yet permit the finger 340 to slip on the shaft 264 when the tip therefore engages a sheet of paper, as will later be described.

Referring now to FIGURE 14, rotary power is transmitted from the shaft 230 to another shaft 360 which extends laterally of the side members 24 and 26 directly below the conveying platform 12. The transmission of such power is accomplished by means of the aforementioned drive chain 244 which communicates the sprocket 240 with an associated sprocket 362 xedly secured to the shaft 360 by means of a suitable retaining pin 364. The shaft 360 extends coaxially within a laterally extending bore 366 formed in a shaft mounting housing, generally designated 368. A pair of anti-friction bearing assemblies 370 and 372 are mounted in the opposite ends of bore 366 for rotatably supporting the shaft 360 therein, and a pair of snap rings 373 are provided to prevent any axial movement between the shaft 360 and bearing assemblies 370, 372. The housing 368 is mounted on a pivot shaft 374 which extends laterally between the side members 24 and 26. Suitable annular recesses 378 and 380 are formed in the members 24 and 26 for receiving the opposite ends of the shaft 374. A plurality of snap rings or the like 382, 384 and 386, are provided on the shaft 374 for preventing any axial movement of the housing 368 relative thereto.

Mounted on the outer (right) end of the shaft 360 is a paper spacing nger 390 which is secured to an annular mounting collar 392. The collar 392 is formed with a central bore 394 adapted to slidably receive the outer end of the shaft 360 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 14. Mounted directly to the left of the finger 390 is a cylindrical lower roller member 396 which is adapted to operate in a manner later to be described to apply the reinforcing material to the sheets of paper being conveyed along the platform 12. The roller member 396 includes a mounting collar section 398 which is adapted to be rigidly secured to the shaft 360 by means of a suitable set screw, bolt or the like 400. The collar member 392 is resiliently urged axially toward the roller member 396 by means of a helical coil spring 402 which is mounted circumjacent a mounting stud 404 that extends axially outwardly from and is lixedly secured to the shaft 360. The spring 402 extends between a retaining collar 405 on the stud 404 and a washer member 406, the latter of which abuts against a plurality of needle bearings 408 that are disposed interjacent the outer periphery of the shaft 360 and the inner periphery of the bore 394. It will thus be seen that the collar 392 is compressed between the roller member 396 and the washer 406, which compressive force is designed to be sufficient to assure that the finger 390 will rotate upon rotation of the shaft 360, yet will permit the finger 390 to slip on the shaft 360 when it engages a sheet of paper, as will later be described.

As best seen in FIGURE 16, mounted on the extreme left end of the shaft 360 by means of a suitable retaining pin 410 is a gear member 412 which engages and cooperates with an associated gear member 414 that is rigidly secured to an upper roller member support shaft 416 by means of a suitable retaining pin or the like 418. The shaft 416 extends laterally between the side members 24 and 26 and is rotatably supported by means of a pair of anti-friction bearing assemblies 420 and 422 which are mounted within suitable openings 4124 and 426 in the members 24, 26, respectively. Suitable snap rings or the like 428 and 430 are provided on the shaft 416 adjacent the side members 24 and 26 to prevent any axial movement of the shaft 416 relative thereto. It will be noted that the lower roller member 396 is spring loaded toward the upper roller member 432 by suitable spring means (not shown) acting against the housing 368, whereby the roller 396 is resiliently urged toward the roller 432 to exert a compressive force against the reinforcing material applied to the paper sheets. The member 432 is rigidly secured to the shaft 416 by means of a frusto conical mounting bushing 434 which is attached to the roller member 432 by means of a suitable screw, bolt or the like 436.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, the strip of reinforcing material which is adapted to be applied to successive sheets of paper by the machine 10 of the present invention is stored on a circular reel 440 that is rotatably mounted on the back side of the side member 24 by means of a suitable support shaft or the like 442. A brake mechanism (not shown) is Iprovided on the shaft 442 for controlling rotation of the reel 440, as will be described. Suitable retaining means is the form of a nut 444 is removably mounted on the outer end of the shaft 442 to facilitate removing the reel 440 when the supply of reinforcing material, which is representatively designated by the numeral 446, is depleted. An elongated unwinding arm 448 is also mounted on the shaft 442 and is provided with a plurality of spaced roller or spindles, generally designated 450. An unwinding plate 452 is mounted on the back side of the side member '24 and is provided with a plurality of spindles 453 which are of the same type as the members 450 and are arranged in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4. Two additional spindles 454 are mounted near the top of the plate 452, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. The reinforcing material is designed to be wrapped around the spindles 450 and 453 in a generallyy serpentine or sinuous configuration, as shown in FIGURE 4, with the end of the strip 446 extending over one of the spindles 454 and under the other of said spindles 454. The arm 448 normally assumes the position indicated by dotted lines in FIGURE 4; however, at Such time as the material 446 is applied to the sheets of paper being conveyed through the machine 10, as will later be described, the tension on the reinforcing material will cause the arm 448 to move upwardly to the solid line position in FIGURE 4. As the arm 448 moves up, the braking mechanism is released to permit the reel to freely rotate. The arm 448 will remain in the solid line position during the time the machine 10 applies the material 446 at the same rate at which it unrolls from the reel 440. At such time las tension on the strip 446 is relieved, the arm 448 will begin to move downwardly, but the reel 440 will continue to unwind until the arm 448 drops to the dotted line position where the brake mechanism is actuated to stop rotation of the reel 440. The purpose of the serpentine path over which the material 446 passes is to allow for storage of suicient material for 3 or 4 sheets of paper and to provide for .a uniform light tension on the material 446 as it is being used by the machine 10.

From the spindle 454, the strip of reinforcing material 446 travels over a pair of spindles 456 and 457 which are mounted on a cross bar 458 secured to the upper edges of the side members 24, 26 by means of suitable mounting knobs or the like 459.

From the spindles 456 the strip of reinforcing material 446 passes around .a laterally outwardly extending spindle 460 located on the outboard side of the side member 26 in substantially the same vertical plane as the shaft 134, and from the spindle 460, the reinforcing material passes over another spindle 462 located substantially above the shafts 230 and 264. The material 446 then passes over the rearward side of the upper roller member 432 to the position where it is applied to 11 the sheets of paper int-erjacent the upper roller member 432 and the lower roller member 396, as seen in FIG- URE 1.

Although the reinforcing machine 10 of the present invention is readily Yadapted to apply self-adhesive reinforcing material to successive sheets of paper as the same are conveyed along the platform 12, due to the fact that such material is relatively expensive, the preferred embodiment of the machine 10 is designed to apply a non-adhesive reinforcing material, the requisite adhesive or glue being supplied directly to the material as the same is traversed from the reel 440 to the upper and'lower rollers 432 and 396. More particularly and as best illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 10, an adhesive or glue font assembly, generally designated 470, is mounted near the top of the gear housing 22 and comprises a glue container support bracket 472 which is adapted to support an inverted glue container 473 and is secured to the upper edge of the side member 26 by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 474. The contents of the glue container 473 is adapted to flow into a glue reservoir 476 located below the spout of the container 473 and defined between a pair of laterally spaced plates 478 and 480 (see FIGURE l). The glue is communicated from the reservoir 476 to the reinforcing material 446 by means of one of a pair of glueapplying rollers 482 and 484 which are mounted on a pair of laterally extending shafts 486 and 488, respectively. The applying rollers 482, 484 are arranged adjacent the opposite sides of the reservoir 476 and have sportions thereof passing between the plates 478 and 480, as best illustrated in FIGURE 10. The shaft 486 is rotatably mounted within a pair of suitable anti-friction bearing assemblies 490 and 492 which are disposed within suitable openings 494 and 496 in the side members 24 and 26, respectively. The shaft 486 is adapted to be rotatably Idriven by means of the drive chain 244 which is engageable with a sprocket 498 rigidly secured thereto by means of a suitable retaining pin or the like 500. The roller member 482 is secured to the outer (right) end of the shaft 486 by means of a suitable set screw or the like 502, and a retaining collar 504 is preferably provided adjacent the roller member 482 and secured to the shaft 486 by another set screw 506. As best seen in FIGURE 1, the glue-applying roller member 482 is arranged relative to the spindle 462 so that the reinforcing material 446 traversing between the spindle 462 and the upper roller member 432 tangentially engages the glue-applying roller 482.

The shaft 488 is rotatably mounted within a hollow cylindrical support housing 512 by means of a pair of anti-friction bearing assemblies 514 and 516, suitable snap rings or the like 518 and 520 being provided on the shaft 488 adjacent the opposite ends of the housing 512 to prevent any relative axial movement therebetween. The housing 512 extends through an annular opening 522 formed in the side member 26 and is movably disposed therewithin by means of a pair of coil springs 524 and 526 which are located within a pair of annular recesses 528 and 530 formed in the side member 26 adjacent the opposite sides of the opening 522. The springs 524 and 526 abut against a retaining disc 532 which extends around the outer periphery of the housing 512 and is secured thereto by means of a suitable snap ring or the like 534. The housing 512 is prevented for moving axially toward the inner side of the side member 26 by means of a radially outwardly extending shoulder 536 which is formed around the outer (right) side thereof and abuts against the outer side of the member 26. The outer periphery of the housing member 512 is preferably eccentrically formed or formed with an eccentric shoulder portion adapted t0 engage the inner periphery of the opening 522 so that as the housing 512 is rotated, the central axis of the housing 512, and hence the axis of the shaft 488, moves toward or away from the axis of the shaft 486. A suitable manipulating handle 540 (see FIGURE 1) may be secured to and extend upwardly from the housing 512 so that the same may he easily rotated to vary the distance between the shafts 488 and 486 for reasons later to be described. The roller member 484 is adapted to be secured to the outer end of the shaft 488 by means of a suitable set screw or the like 542, and a gear member 544 is secured to the opposite (inner) end of the shaft 488 by means of a suitable retaining pin or the like 546. The `gear member 544 is engageable and cooperates with an associated gear 548 secured to a medial portion of the shaft 486 by means of a retaining pin 550'. With this construction, rotation of the shaft 486 in one direction will result in rotation of the shaft 488 in the opposite direction. That is, when the shaft 486 rotates in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 1, the glue-applying roller member 482 will similarly rotate in a clockwise direction, while the roller member 484 will rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Accordingly, the glue which is stored in the reservoir 476 will be carried downwardly between the confronting edges of the rollers 482, 484 and will be applied to the outer periphery of these rollers. As the reinforcing material 446 passes adjacent the periphery of the roller member 482, the glue which adheres to the surface of the member 482 will be applied to the surface of the reinforcing material 446 preparatory to the material being applied to the sheets of paper being conveyed through the machine 10. It will be seen that upon proper pivotal movement of the handle 540, the distance between the edges of the roller members 482 and 484 may be varied due to the above described eccentric mounting of the housing 512. As the distance between the edges of the members 482 and 484 decreases, the amount of glue which adheres to the surface of the roller member 482 will decrease correspondingly, hence reducing the amount of glue applied to the reinforcing material. Conversely, if the handle 540 is biased in the opposite direction, the space between the roller members 482 and 484 will increase, with the result that a greater amount of glue will be applied to the roller member 482 and hence to the reinforcing material 446.

In the event it is desired to apply a self-adhesive reinforcing material to the sheets of paper which are conveyed through the apparatus 10, an adapter hub assembly 560 may be mounted on the outer side of the gear housing 22, as best shown in FIGURE 1. The assembly 560 would be adapted to support a reel of self-adhesive reinforcing material (not shown) which could be unreeled directly on to the upper applying roller 432 and thereafter be applied to the paper sheets in the same manner as the material 446. It may be noted that the machine 10 may be readily adapted to apply heat sensitive reinforcing material to sheets of paper by substituting heated rollers for the members 396 and 432.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, an actuating switch 562 is mounted below the conveying platform 12 directly to the left of the roller member 78. The switch 562 is provided with an actuating arm 564 which is adapted to be engaged and depressed as successive sheets of paper are conveyed along the upper surface of the platform 12 by means of the feed belt 80. Suitable electric circuitry (not shown) is provided to communicate the switch 562 with the clutch solenoid 172, whereby the solenoid 172 will be energized during the time the switch 562 is actuated.

A control panel 566 may be and preferably is mounted on the end plate 28, the panel 566 being adapted to have a plurality of on-off toggle switches or the like S68 and pilot lights 570 mounted thereon. The switches 568 are adapted to be connected with the electric motors 96 and 126 in the conventional manner to enable the machine operator to conveniently and selectively energize these motors or any other associated apparatus.

To facilitate correlating all of the hereinabove described parts and component assemblies of the reinforcing machine 10 of the present invention, a brief exemplary operational cycle thereof will now be described with particular I3 reference being made to the schematic diagrams illustrated in FIGURES 9 and 15.

Assuming the initial conditions that the glue font reservoir 476 is provided with an adequate supply of glue or adhesive and that a previously fed sheet of paper is disposed within the machine 10 with its trailing edge a short distance forward of the actuating switch lever 564 so that the solenoid 172 is deenergized, operation of the reinforcing machine 10 may be initiated by energizing the motor 96, resulting in the drive belt 92 being rotated in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 1, with the further result that the sheet feeding belt 80 will rotate around the roller members 76 and 78 in a direction of the arrow 102 in FIG- URE l. The electric motor 126 may then be energized to drive the belt 130 in a clockwise direction in FIGURE l, resulting in the drive sheave 132 also rotating in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 1. The machine operator then inserts a new sheet of paper to which a strip of the reinforcing material 446 is to 'be applied. The sheet of paper is inserted in a manner such that the leading edge thereof is disposed beneath the first hold-down ball 120, the weight of which causes the sheet of paper to be gripped by the feed belt 80, resulting in the sheet of paper being carried into the machine 10.

As the sheet of paper is carried into the machine, i.e., moves to the right in FIGURE 1, the leading edge thereof engages and depresses the actuating switch lever 564i, thereby actuating the switch 562 to energize the clutch solenoid 172. Upon energization of the solenoid 172, the reinforcing material applying section of the machine 10 begins to operate. More particularly, upon energization of the solenoid 17 2, the shaft 134 will rotate causing the drive chain 208 to rotate in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 1. This causes the sprocket 226 to rotate, with the result that the shafts 230 and 264 will also rotate. By virtue of the fact that the shaft 230 is connected through the drive chain 244 to the shaft 360, upon rotation of the shaft 230, the shaft 360 will also rotate, with the result that the paper spacing finger 390 will move in a clockwise direction from the phantom position A in FIGURE toward position B in this figure. The sheet of paper which was in the machine 10 at the beginning of this cycle is gripped between rollers 432 and 396 which drive it toward the right in FIGURES l and 15. The spacing finger 390 contacts and follows the trailing edge of this sheet of paper. Due to the fact that the prefeed belt 80 is traveling considerably faster than the spacing finger 390, the leading edge of the new sheet of paper will catch up or overtake the first sheet of paper until only the spacer finger 390 separates the two sheets of paper. The prefeed belt 80k will hold the new sheet of paper in contact with the finger 390 as the sheets of paper are conveyed along the platform 12.

' Since the drive chain 244 is drivingly connected to the sprocket 498 on the shaft 486, upon rotation of the chain 244, the shafts 486 and 488 will rotate in opposite dlrections, thereby applying glue to the reinforcing materlal 446 as the same passes adjacent the lower side of the roller member 482, as illustrated in FIGURE 1. The reinforcing material 446 is applied to the two sheets of paper as they pass between the upper roller 432 and the lower roller 396, as schematically illustrated in FIGURE 15, the rollers 432, 396 applying pressure to the reinforcing material 446 to assure a positive bond thereof to the sheets of paper. Due to the continued rotation of the rollers -432 and 396, the two sheets of paper continue through the machine 10 or toward the right in FIGURE 1, the sheets being connected together by the reinforcing material 446, as seen lin FIGURE 15 A As the spacer finger 390 approaches position `C in FIG- URE 15, it overlaps the cut-off guide finger 340 and causes the new sheet of paper to pass over the top of the guide finger 340, thus insuring that the finger 340 will penetrate and follow the joint between the sheets. As the sheets continue through the machine, the cut-off guide finger 340 begins to rotate around the shaft 264. The

spacer finger 390 will follow the guide finger 340 until it reaches the position D in FIGURE 15, the finger 340 thereafter rotating back to position A where the outer end thereof is in contact with the bottom of the new sheet and in a position adapted to engage the trailing edge of the new sheet as the same moves toward the right in FIGURE l. As hereinabove described, the guide finger 340 and upper cut-off knife 322 are mounted on the holder member 288 which is supported by shaft 264 and geared to the lower knife holder member 246 through the cut-off drive member 303. FIGURE l5 shows that the upper cut-off knife 322 is radially aligned with the cut-off guide finger 340 so that as the finger 340 rotates into the joint, it automatically aligns the knives so that they will engage one another at the joint between the two sheets. In order to insure sufficient power to shear through the reinforcing material 446, the upper knife holder 288 and the lower knife holder 246 are positively driven through the cutting arc by the clutch assembly 292. FIGURE 9 shows the various positions of the guide finger 340 during alternating slip and power drives. Position A of FIGURE 9 shows the location of the guide finger 340 in the same position as that shown in solid in FIGURE l5. In this position, the cut-off guide finger 340 tends to rotate due to the friction created by spring 354 (FIGURE 5) but is prevented from doing so by the sheet of paper. However as the guide finger 340 penetrates the joint between sheets, the slip or friction drive aids in accelerating the cut-off knife holders between positions A and B (FIGURE 9) until the knives 322 and 258 are traveling at the proper position and speed to engage each other at the joint in the paper. As the cut-off guide finger 340 reaches position B, the cut-off drive member 303 will have moved the ball bearing members 302 in the cut-off drive clutch to the position where they bind between members 298 and 300, thus positively driving the cut-off drive member 303 which in turn drives the upper knife holder 288, the lower knife holder 246 and the cut-off guide finger 340 through the arc from B to C in FIGURE 9. As the knives approach the shearing position, they contact in such a way to provide a cutting action similar to a pair of scissors, as previously described.

After the reinforcing material 446 is severed, the leading sheet of paper is rapidly moved toward the right in FIG- URE 1 as it passes between the pullout roller 210 and the shaft 135, which sheet of paper is thus conveyed into the delivery tray 44 located at the extreme right end of the machine 10 in FIGURE 1. After the leading sheet of paper has been conveyed from between the knife holder members 246 and 314, the cut-off guide finger 340 will continue to rotate in a counterclockwise direction in FIGURE l5 until its tip is riding on the top of the new sheet of paper, thus being in a position to pick up the joint between the trailing edge of the new sheet and the subsequent sheet inserted into the machine. The new sheet of paper will continue to travel along the platform 12 due to movement of rollers 396 and 432 until such time as a trailing edge of this sheet of paper moves out of engagement with the actuating swtich lever 564, at which time the switch 562 will be deactuated, resulting in deenergization of the solenoid 172 which in turn stops the reinforcing material applying section of the machine 10. When the solenoid 172 is deenergized, the machine 10 will have completed one cycle and will remain in this condition until the next sheet of paper is inserted.

It will be seen from the foregoing description of the present invention that the reinforcing machine 10 is adapted to rapidly apply strips of reinforcing materials, either non-adhesive or self-adhesive, to successive sheets of paper of varying sizes. A particular advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that only a very small space exists between the successive sheets of paper as they are conveyed along the platform 12, thereby minimizing to the extreme any wasted reinforcing material. Accordingly, the machine 10, together with being characterized by universality of application, is extremely economical to operate.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for applying a strip of material to sheet workstock,

means for conveying successive sheets through the apparatus,

means including roller means for applying the strip material to a predetermined area of each of the sheets,

means for shearing the material between adjacent sheets of workstock, and

means for selectively positioning said shearing means with respect to the joint between each adjacent pair of workstock sheets conveyed through the apparatus.

2. The inveniton as set forth in claim 1 which includes spacer means for spacing the leading edge of each sheet of workstock conveyed through the apparatus of a predetermined distance from the trailing edge of the preceding sheet of workstock.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said spacer means comprises rotatably mounted finger means adapted to selectively engage the trailing edge of each of the sheets of workstock conveyed through the apparatus.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shearing means comprises a pair of engageable shearing blades adapted to cut the strip material in a scissor-like manner.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said shearing blades are independently rotatably mounted.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveying means comprises means for feeding successively sheets of workstock into the apparatus and pull-out means for conveying the workstock sheets away from said shearing means.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 6 wherein said sheet feeding means conveys the workstock sheets into the machine at a faster rate than said roller means applies the strip material to the sheets.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 6 which includes means for positively engaging the sheets of workstock with said sheet feeding means.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means for engaging the workstock with said feeding means comprises at least one weighted hold-down ball.

10. In an apparatus for applying a strip material to sheets of paper or similar type workstock,

means for feeding successive sheets of workstock into the apparatus,

means for preventing the leading edge of each sheet from overlapping the trailing edge of the sheet previously fed into the apparatus,

means including roller means for applying the strip material to a predetermined area yof each of the sheets, and

means responsive to operation of said means for preventing sheet overlapping for performing an operation on the strip material.

1'1. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein said feeding means comprises a feed belt and means for rotatably driving said belt.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 which includes means disposed adjacent said belt and engageable with the sheets of workstock for positively engaging the same with said belt as they are fed into the apparatus.

13. The invention as set forth in claim wherein said means for preventing overlapping of the workstock sheets includes iinger means rotatably mounted and selectively engageable with the trailing edge of each of the sheets as they are conveyed through the apparatus.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 10 which includes roller means for applying the strip material to the workstock sheets, said roller means being disposed adjacent at least one side of the sheets.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 14 which includes rst and second rollers disposed one on each side of the sheets of workstock, at least one of said rollers being spring loaded to exert a pressure force against the workstock and thereby assure a positive application of the strip material.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 1'0 which includes shearing means and the operation performed by said means responsive to operation of said means for preventing sheet overlapping is to selectively cut the strip material.

17. The invention as set forth in claim 16 wherein said shearing means comprise a pair of engageable shearing blades adapted to cut the strip material in a scissor-like manner.

18. In an apparatus for applying a strip of material to sheets of paper or similar workstock,

means for conveying succesisve sheets through the apparatus,

means for providing a space between the sheets as they are conveyed through the apparatus,

means for applying the strip material to predetermined areas of the sheets,

means for shearing the strip material between each of the sheets, and

means for aligning said shearing means with the space between the sheets.

19. The invention as set forth in claim 18 which includes clutch means for selectively driving said means for applying the strip material.

20. The invention as set forth in claim 19 which includes solenoid means for actuating said clutch means, and which includes actuating switch means adapted to be engaged by the sheets of workstock for effecting actuation of said solenoid means.

21. The invention as set forth in claim 18 which includes a pair of space parallel shafts, each of said shafts having a knife holder member rotatably mounted thereon, and shearing blade means disposed on each of said members adapted to engage one another in a scissor-like manner to selectively cut the strip material adjacent one edge of each of the sheets of workstock being conveyed through the apparatus.

22. The invention as set forth in claim 21 which includes spring means for resiliently urging said blade means on one of said holder members toward said blade means on the other of said holder members.

23. The invention as set forth in claim 21 which includes guide linger means rotatably mounted on one of said shafts and adapted to be removably received within the space between the sheets of workstock and thereby align said shearing blade means with respect to one edge of each of the sheets being conveyed through the apparatus.

Z4. The invention as set forth in claim 23 wherein said guide finger means is substantially freely rotatable with respect to said shearing blade means.

25. The invention as set forth in claim 23 which includes clutch means for rotatably driving said blade holder members.

26. The invention as set forth in claim 18 wherein said means for providing a space between the sheets as they are conveyed through the apparatus comprises a separating ringer normally engageable with the lower surface of the sheets and engageable with the trailing edges thereof as they are conveyed through the apparatus, and wherein said means for aligning said shearing means comprises a guide finger rotatably mounted on the apparatus and normally engaging the upper surface of the sheets as they are conveyed through the apparatus, said guide finger means being removably inser-table within the space provided between the sheets by said separating finger.

27. In a strip applying machine,

means defining a support structure including a generally horizontally disposed conveying platform, means at one end of said structure for selectively feed- 17 ing successive sheets of Workstock along said platform,

means for maintaining the sheets engaged with said feed means,

first roller means for applying a substantially endless strip of material to the sheets as they are conveyed along said platform,

iirst finger means r-otatably mounted on said structure and insertable between the leading edge of each sheet fed into the machine and the trailing edge of the preceding sheet,

shearing means for cutting the strip of material adjacent one edge of each of the sheets conveyed along said platform,

second linger means rotatably mounted on said structure for aligning said shearing means with said one edge of the sheets, and

second roller means for conveying the sheets away from said shearing means.

28. The invention as set forth in claim 27 which ncludes adhesive applying means for dispensing adhesive on the strip of material prior to said material being applied to the sheets of workstock.

29. The invention as set forth in claim 28 which includes means for controlling the quantity of adhesive applied to the reinforcing strip.

30. The invention as set forth in claim 27 which includes adaptor means for mounting a dispenser of selfadhesive strips of material adjacent said first roller means.

31. The invention as set forth in claim 27 which includes means for driving said second roller means at a somewhat faster rate than that at which said first roller means applies the reinforcing material to the workstock, whereby to rapidly convey reinforced sheets of workstock out of the machine.

32. The invention as set forth in claim 27 which includes dispensing means for supplying said substantially endless strip of reinforcing material, said dispensing means `including means for applying a predetermined tension to said material as the same is conveyed to said rst roller means.

33. The invention as set forth in claim 28 which includes clutch means for supplying rotative power to said shearing means, said clutch means providing for alternate slip drive and power drive and including means for synchronizing said power drive with the time the sheets of workstock are conveyed adjacent said shearing means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,254,394 9/1941 Ratley et al 156-522 2,663,352 12/1953 Keller 156-522 2,864,285 12/ 1958 Roselius 156--522 DOUGLAS I. DRUMMOND, Primary Examiner 

